Voice of the DBA

Author: way0utwest

  • A Blogging Break

    Outside of coping tips, I’m gonna take a break from blogging. I’ve been aiming for 3 posts a week, and mostly keeping there, but it’s created a little stress and I need to handle a bit more stuff at the ranch, so not as much time outside of work for blogging.

    I also have some work work to take over. We have a surprising amount of sabbaticals this summer, and some staff changes, so I need to take on a bit more in July/August.

    I’ll likely blog here and there, but not consistently.

    Of course, I’m sure tomorrow I’ll get 10 ideas for post and this will go out the window, but look for less for a few weeks at least.

  • Daily Coping 5 Jul 2022

    I started to add a daily coping tip to the SQLServerCentral newsletter and to the Community Circle, which is helping me deal with the issues in the world. I’m adding my responses for each day here. All my coping tips are under this tag.

    Today’s tip is to make a list of the joys in your life (add to this regularly).

    My list:

    • sleeping next to my wife at night (not doing that enough the last few months)
    • having my dog come greet me (every day)
    • kids enjoying the food I make ( a regular occurrence these days)
    • traveling to a new place and seeing a different way of life (I love new cultures)
    • driving my Tesla (this is a lot of fun)
    • accomplishing a chore at the ranch (changed a leaf spring last weekend)
    • playing guitar and hitting all the notes
    • delivering a presentation where people are engaged and smiling

  • Daily Coping 4 Jul 2022

    I started to add a daily coping tip to the SQLServerCentral newsletter and to the Community Circle, which is helping me deal with the issues in the world. I’m adding my responses for each day here. All my coping tips are under this tag.

    Today’s tip is to notice how positive emotions are contagious between people.

    A holiday in the US, so Happy Independence Day. While I will likely tackle some chores, I do hope to get to town and enjoy being around people.

    The world can seem very upsetting and contentious, especially with inflation and politics running amok. However, I’ve seen many people smile and enjoy time with each other, which can infect others with good cheer. I want to help that.

    The last few weeks I’ve been traveling here and there, for work and personal reasons. I’ve encountered a lot of people I don’ t know, in airports, hotels, on the trail, and restaurants. I’ve made it a point to smile and say hi or wave. Even other patrons that are just going about their lives, I make it a point to be cheerful.

    It’s amazing how many people will break out in a smile.

  • Independence Day 2022

    Today is July 4th, Independence Day in the US. While many countries have a similar day marking a similar milestone in their history, I live in the US, so it’s a holiday for me and I usually take the day off. Always a good time to rewatch Independence Day, though this year I may take a little time away from chores and watch the sequel, just because I haven’t seen it.

    While it’s a day of celebration here, it’s often a day that somewhat marks the halfway point of the year for me. Just over six months are gone and almost six more to come. I usually look at these milestones and think about whether it’s been a good year, am I approaching life as I want to, and are there things I might want to change for the next half of the year.

    2022 has been great for me, and I can’t complain about anything. I’ve gotten to travel, I had a great season coaching kids, my kids are all 21+ adults and doing well, I’m healthy, and I couldn’t really ask for more. The second half will continue things, though with a little less travel. April/May/June was a rough stretch of time away from home.

    Hopefully you can say that 2022 has been good for you, but if not, what will you change in the second half?

    Happy Fourth of July.

    Steve Jones